Cops and Kids Share Extreme Sports Camp

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) | Story and photos by Susan Maxwell Skinner

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Citrus Heights Police this week joined The Police Athletic League to provide a youth summer sports program. Uniformed instructors and 80 children celebrated graduation after four days of athletics and leadership instruction.

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Assemblyman Ken Cooley (center) provided flap-jack skills as he and police staffers served breakfasts to 70 young athletes.

Aimed to aid community relations, the PAL program enticed 70 students back to school during the hottest days of their summer break. “We created a fun atmosphere,” said camp director Lt. Jason Russo. “We also included sessions to promote good life decisions and leadership.”

Priced at $50 per athlete, a four-day curriculum included meals and culminated in a graduation day pancake breakfast. For this event, Assemblyman Ken Cooley provided cooking grills and flipped hundreds of flapjacks. Joining the VIP chef, uniformed police officers were quickly batter-splattered by the process. “Police work can get messy,” conceded an officer. “Fortunately, we have a great drycleaner.”

The camp’s final afternoon included displays by SWAT, motorcycle and K-9 units. In 100-plus heat, Sacramento Metro Fire Department contributed the best diversion: an invitation for kids to run through gushing fire hoses. “Some of our officers partook, too,” reported Russo. “Everyone wanted to cool down.

“Smiling faces told us our program was a success. The kids tried sports they might not otherwise had opportunities to play. They were respectful and disciplined. We hope some might develop an interest in police work; our staff embraced the opportunity to connect with young people who are our future.”

Citrus Heights PAL plan to repeat the Extreme Sports Camp in 2019.

Program sponsors include: Walmart; Sam’s Club; Grocery Outlet; Home Depot; Citrus Heights Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs; San Juan School District; Assemblyman Ken Cooley. Learn about the program at www.citrusheightspal.com